About A470 Soaring


This is the blog for a few guys who spend their time flying radio controlled gliders, or slope soarer's, from the many and varied slopes around SE Wales.

This usually begins at the northern end of Cardiff, driving north up the A470 up to the Heads of the Valley's and the southern fringe of the Brecon Beacons. But the A470 road continues its windy way all the way to N Wales.

There are many slopes available for most wind directions, the most famous being the area between Nant-y-Moel and Treorchi known as The Bwlch, which has some of the best slopes and flying in Europe with many F3F competitions being held there each year and visited by many fliers from Europe and around the world. At 1500 feet (450m) above sea level, there is usually more wind than not, and certainly more than at sea level.

If you require any further information, are new to slope soaring or are visiting the area, please contact Steve at steve.houghton59@gmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you.

Take a look at Page 2 (look below and to the left here) for Google maps of our most popular Flying Sites.


Tuesday 15 July 2014

Another Fab Sunday at the Bwlch

Well the usual crew ended up on the Ice Cream Slope at the Bwlch on Sunday, with an estimated 20 - 25mph breeze blowing, huge thermals, we all had a fab time.

                                          Mark      Big Phil       Chris       Steve


Tuesday 8 July 2014

Big Air on Mickey's

Well Sunday saw the usual crew heading out to the furthest slope at the Bwlch, Mickey's West, with all sorts of models there to fly.

Halfway through the afternoon, a visiting couple, Steve and Jackie from Bern, Switzerland turned up with three models to fly. Apparently Steve had read on a forum about the amazing flying to be had at the Bwlch and so they decided to make the trip.

Well they certainly seemed to enjoy the smooth, booming lift, which Steve said was so different to back home, where the air is very turbulent. We hope Steve and Jackie will return again some day and maybe spread the word and bring a few friends with them.

Here is some video of the day.